by Philip |
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Some chairs have zero lumbar support, and even when they do, it’s not always enough. The result is an ache you can’t shift at the end of the day, leaving you in desperate need of a massage you don’t have time to book.
Enter: a massage cushion.
A great massage cushion pairs portability with efficiency. Take it from home to the office to the car, but it needs to be big enough to target all the potential problem areas.
How does the HoMedics Shiatsu Elite hold up? In this HoMedics Shiatsu Elite massage cushion review, you’ll learn that it has two massage functions, customization options and minimal downsides—perfect for anyone seeking relaxation or pain relief. After 15 minutes of comfort, it turns off and you can start over again.
Who Can Benefit From the HoMedics Shiatsu Elite Massage Cushion?
The HoMedics Shiatsu Elite massage cushion has two core audiences:
- Anyone wanting a relaxing massage
- Those looking for pain and discomfort relief
It suits either party well as it can switch between a general message and a targeted one. The general mode is for those seeking some luxury, and the targeted mode is for those with problem regions.
This is just one of the many features we’ll dive into.
Pros of the HoMedics Shiatsu Elite Massage Cushion
Let’s dive into the two functions: heat and massage.
Heat
The heat is optional, but it’s a huge bonus of the massage cushion. It’s designed to help relieve tension by relaxing your muscles and penetrating the tired ones.
Heat spreads through the entire back, shoulders and neck to increase blood flow and heal these important areas. (1)
You could use the massage cushion without the heat for everyday use, but switch the heat on for an evening massage for pain relief. You’ll most likely feel the difference!.
Don’t worry if the heat gets too much and you start to sweat. The cushion’s material is a meshy, breathable one that should prevent odors and prevent the chair from getting damp. Any moisture should evaporate as quickly as it’s wiped off.
Luckily, though, on a colder day, the heat shouldn’t be enough to overpower you. It’s very subtle.
Massage
The massage functions are the main focus of this chair, and for good reason. There are two types to choose from:
- Shiatsu massage
- Rolling massage
Both are customizable.
Shiatsu Massage
The shiatsu massage is obviously the inspiration for the massage cushion’s name. It’s Japanese with Chinese origins, as it was originally based on a form of traditional Chinese medicine. (2)
A shiatsu massage is a kneading massage—where you can really dig out that pain. This is no different from the chair’s version.
The chair lets you use three preset full-back massage program, or target certain areas of the back. The deep pressure digging in, making you feel tender, can relieve both stress and pain.
Shiatsu is even said to energize you and stimulate your digestive system, but this isn’t backed by science.
Just a warning: the massage may be too rough for some people.
Rolling Massage
A rolling massage is more for casual relief. It releases tension and loosens you up and is often used on athletes and gymnasts using a foam roller.
If you’re familiar with foam rollers, don’t fret. The chair’s rolling massage will be far more comfortable than that.
Like the shiatsu massage, there’s plenty of customization, and the three presets are excellent, too.
Customization
You can customize your massage using the easy controls to target three zones in the back:
- Upper
- Lower
- Entirety—which includes the neck
You might wonder why there’s no thigh option since there’s a seat pad, too. Sadly, this is for comfort, not for massage.
Note that there is something to be wary of, and sad about, with the massager—it doesn’t hit the shoulder blades. It doesn’t protrude out far enough to hit them.
Other Features
More features that we particularly like about the Elite cushion:
- Turns off after 15 minutes in case you fall asleep
- Quiet—only the chair will make a noise when the massager is on
- Height-adjustable—ideal for families with a height difference of around 1 foot
- Includes straps, so it’s usable on any chair
Cons of the HoMedics Elite Massage Cushion
- Doesn’t hit the shoulder blades
- Shiatsu massage is somewhat aggressive
- Seat cushion is of mediocre comfort
- The neck massager is nylon with a metal tab. Overuse of the shiatsu function may lead to the tab pulling the nylon apart.
If you want a targeted neck massager, get one of these instead.
Other than that, there’s no real deal-breaker in our opinion. Some users found that the cushion was too short for them, but it’s likely they didn’t realize it’s adjustable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specs of the HoMedics Elite Massage Cushion?
The massage zone is 29.33 inches by 17.32 inches. That should be enough to encompass the average back width of 14/16 inches (women/men) and a series of heights.
As for the weight, it’s 15 pounds, so it’s lighter than an outdoor, electric gardening tool (for example, a strimmer). This makes it easily portable.
Can you drive while using the HoMedics Elite Massage Cushion?
Can you? Sure. Should you? Probably not. It can be too relaxing and distracting to be safe.
Can you use the HoMedics Elite Massage Cushion in bed?
You can, but again, it’s not recommended. This is a massager designed for use when seated. It’s probably not advisable to place your weight on it when lying down.
Plus, you might bruise yourself if you put too much pressure on it.
Can you use any chair to go with the HoMedics massage cushion?
Yes, however, a harder chair means a harder massage—a hard chair won’t absorb shock as much as one with padding.
Rolling Forward
The HoMedics Shiatsu Elite massage cushion is an efficient tool for relaxation, pain relief and general comfort.
It’s simple to use, portable and customizable, so it should suit anyone who figures out the best height to use it at. It may not dig into the shoulder blades, but your neck and lumbar should be pleasantly satisfied.
- SHIATSU OR ROLLING MASSAGE TECHNOLOGY: The HoMedics Shiatsu Elite Pro Massage Cushion with Heat delivers a circular kneading shiatsu massage...
- OPTIONAL HEAT: The Shiatsu Elite Pro Massage Cushion’s heat feature will help to further relax your muscles and melt away tension. The use...
- CUSTOMIZABLE MASSAGE: The Shiatsu Elite Pro Massage Cushion offers both a kneading shiatsu and rolling massage. You can use the controller...
Last update on 2025-03-26 at 06:49 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Author: Philip Andrew
A writer and teacher who enjoys lazing around and building winter nests out of duvets. “Most are too itchy. You’ve got to be picky.” His goal is to create a complete home spa for 24/7 access to rest and relaxation. Next on the agenda: a barrel sauna for the garden. Connect with Philip on Twitter @completehomespa.